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<section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="7-203.4" title_number="7" title_name="Public Schools" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Evaluation and Graduation of Students">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>For each public school identified by the Department for comprehensive support and improvement, the county board shall develop and implement a Comprehensive Support and Improvement Plan to improve student outcomes at the school.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The plan developed under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Be developed in consultation with principals, parents, local community leaders, local employer leaders, local government leaders, teachers, school staff, and the exclusive bargaining representative;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Include the school quality indicators described under § 7–203(c) of this subtitle;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Include evidence–based interventions;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>Be based on school–level needs assessments; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>Identify resource inequities and budgetary needs.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The school, county board, and the Department shall approve the plan.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>The Department shall monitor and annually review the plan.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>For each public school identified by the Department for targeted support and improvement, the school shall develop and implement a Targeted Support and Improvement Plan to improve student outcomes at the school.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The plan developed under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall meet the requirements of subsection (a)(2) of this section.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The county board shall monitor and annually review the plan.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>Plans developed under subsections (a)(1) and (b)(1) of this section shall be implemented in compliance with existing collective bargaining agreements between the county board and the exclusive bargaining representative.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>The Department shall distribute federal funds for the implementation of plans developed under subsections (a)(1) and (b)(1) of this section based on a formula and driven by the identified needs of each school identified by the Department.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <level label="1">
      <text>After a 2–year period from the date of a plan’s implementation under subsections (a)(1) and (b)(1) of this section, if a county board determines that student outcomes have not improved at a public school, the county board shall consult with the school to develop additional strategies and interventions including funding, community supports, and grants provided in the Public School Opportunities Enhancement Program.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Notwithstanding any law, regulation, or executive order, a plan under this section may include a lengthening of the school year beyond 180 days or any other limitation.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize the Department to require a county board to implement a specific intervention strategy.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <level label="1">
      <text>After a 3–year period from the date of a plan’s implementation under subsections (a)(1) and (b)(1) of this section, if the Department determines that student outcomes have not improved at a public school and intervention is necessary, the Department shall collaborate with the county board in determining the appropriate intervention strategy, subject to existing collective bargaining agreements between the county board and the exclusive bargaining representative.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>An intervention strategy determined under paragraph (1) of this subsection may not include:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Creating a State–run school district;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Creating a local school system in addition to the 24 school systems established in this article;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Converting or creating a new public school without local board approval;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>Issuing scholarships to public school students to attend nonpublic schools through direct vouchers, tax credit programs, or education savings accounts; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>Contracting with a for–profit company.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>A decision of the Department under this subsection is final.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
